Fitchburg EMS commission approves $76,158 purchase of Stryker PowerCot

The Fitchburg EMS Commission on July 16 authorized using a portion of its unassigned fund balance to purchase a Stryker PowerCot autoload system costing $76,158.01, saying buying now would save shipping and avoid a projected price increase.

Chief (staff member) presented the proposal, saying the district currently holds unassigned reserves above the 35% guideline and that purchasing the cot and autoload this year would reduce future costs when the full ambulance replacement arrives. “If we do it now, we will actually save $500 in shipping before the shipping goes up. And if we do it before October 1, we actually save the price increase that will come now for next year, which historically has been somewhere between 8 and 10 percent,” the chief said.

Commissioners asked practical questions about trade‑in and compatibility. The chief said the vendor quote includes trade‑ins for both the cot and autoload and estimated trade‑in value of about $8,000 for the two items; the district can delay autoload delivery to avoid warranty burn‑in until the new ambulance is ready. A commissioner asked whether the new cot would be compatible with existing equipment; the chief said the district already uses the same brand and has moved new cots between units without issue.

The commission moved and seconded the resolution to purchase the equipment and approved it by voice vote. The chief said the purchase also includes a three‑year preventive maintenance program. Commissioners noted the purchase reduces unassigned funds but leaves the district at roughly a 40% reserve level after the transaction.

Next steps: staff will finalize procurement with the vendor and manage trade‑in logistics when the new ambulance arrives.